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January 9, 2025



As we begin a new year don’t forget that the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News can help you recruit experienced applicants for all your job openings. We have over 6,800 readers, and most of them currently work in the nonprofit sector. It is easy and affordable to post your job openings in the newsletter and on our job board. Click here to post your job openings.  


In partnership with local nonprofits and our sponsors, GC Nonprofit News strives to create a more informed, open and connected community by sharing nonprofit news, job openings, and resources. 


Stay connected and informed by reading GC Nonprofit News every week. Jane😊



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Jane Page-Steiner, Owner & Publisher – jane@gcnonprofitnews.com

Kelli Tarantino, Editor - kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com


*REMINDER: Please submit your news by 2pm on Tuesday and jobs by 10am on Wednesday for Thursday's issue of GC Nonprofit News. Jobs submitted after 10am on Wednesday will appear in the following week's eNews.



5 Website Design Mistakes Nonprofits Should Avoid in 2025

by Teresa Kiplinger


Now more than ever, your nonprofit website is often the first point of contact for supporters, donors and volunteers. A well-designed website can build trust, engage supporters and encourage action. However, certain design mistakes can undermine your efforts and leave visitors frustrated. Avoid these five common website design mistakes to ensure an effective and impactful online presence for your nonprofit.


1. Starting Without a Strategy

Diving into website design without a clear strategy can result in a site that fails to meet your nonprofit's goals or address your audience's needs. Poor planning can lead to wasted resources and a confusing user experience.


How to avoid this:


  • Define your website’s primary objectives, such as increasing donations, recruiting new members or educating the public.
  • Identify your audience(s) of focus and understand their needs and preferences.
  • Develop a content strategy and outline the key features and functionalities your site requires.
  • Consult with stakeholders and gather feedback before starting the design process.


Taking the time to plan strategically ensures that your website aligns with your organization’s goals and effectively serves its purpose.


2. Ignoring Website Accessibility

Ensuring that your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is not only a legal and ethical obligation but also a way to expand your reach and engagement. A website that is not accessible can exclude potential supporters and damage your organization’s reputation.


How to avoid this:


  • Use alt text for all images to assist screen readers.
  • Ensure your website’s color scheme has sufficient contrast for readability.
  • Include keyboard navigation options and make sure interactive elements are accessible.
  • Follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for comprehensive compliance.


Making accessibility a priority helps ensure that everyone — regardless of ability — can engage with your mission and take action.


3. Neglecting Mobile Optimization

As mobile devices account for over half of all web traffic globally, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional. A site that is not optimized for mobile use can frustrate visitors and cause them to leave without engaging.


How to avoid this:


  • Use responsive design to ensure your website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes.
  • Test your site’s functionality on various devices to identify and fix usability issues.
  • Simplify navigation for smaller screens, using hamburger menus or touch-friendly buttons.


A mobile-optimized website ensures you’re reaching your audience effectively, regardless of how they access your site.


4. Lack of Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

A nonprofit website should inspire visitors to take specific actions, whether they donate, request more information, attend events or volunteer. Without clear and compelling CTAs, visitors may leave without engaging further.


How to avoid this:


  • Place CTAs prominently on the homepage and also in strategic locations like success stories and blog posts.
  • Use action-oriented language, such as “Donate Now,” “Join Us” or “Get Involved.”
  • Limit the number of CTAs per page to avoid overwhelming visitors.


Well-placed and compelling CTAs can significantly improve conversion rates and help achieve your goals.


5. Failing to Tell a Compelling Story

A great nonprofit website doesn’t just provide information; it tells a story that resonates with visitors and inspires them to take action. Without compelling storytelling, your mission may seem impersonal or uninspiring.


How to avoid this:


  • Use high-quality images, videos, and testimonials to bring your mission to life.
  • Share success stories that demonstrate the impact of your work.
  • Add storytelling techniques to your “about” pages that connect with visitors emotionally.


Storytelling humanizes your nonprofit and helps visitors understand why your mission matters, motivating them to get involved, reach out and provide support.


Bonus Tip: Don't Neglect your Donation Page

Your donation page presents an opportunity to build trust and convert visitors into lifelong supporters. Don't waste this critical moment. Ensure your donation page goes above the basics with features that will help engage potential supporters:


  • Simple. Ensure a minimal number of steps are required to complete the process
  • Convenient. Provide multiple payment options, including credit cards, PayPal and other digital wallets.
  • Mobile-Friendly. Ensure the page loads quickly and is mobile-friendly.
  • Trustworthy. Retain trust by integrating the donation form with the look and feel of the rest of your website.
  • Inspiring. Include suggested donation amounts and explain how each contribution will make a difference.


A well-designed donation page can significantly increase conversion rates and encourage repeat donations, helping your nonprofit achieve its goals.


Your nonprofit’s website is a critical tool for reaching and engaging supporters. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure your website effectively communicates your mission, engages leads, and drives support. Regularly reviewing and updating your site to align with current best practices will ensure it continues to support your goals and make a lasting impact.

 



PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Debby Shipp is the new Director of Development for the Family Nurturing Center

Kila Hanrahan has been promoted to Executive Director of the Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration.

Motherless Daughters Ministry is honored to announce Danyetta Najoli as the new Executive Director.  

Benita Capers has been promoted to Director of Operations & Technology at Last Mile Food Rescue.

Crayons to Computers is pleased to announce the appointment of three new trustees to its Board (L to R): Leniese Fuqua, Workforce Coach at Cincinnati Works; Melissa Krabbe, Chief Financial Officer of Greater Cincinnati Foundation; and Suzanne Smith, Vice President/ General Manager for Becton, Dickinson and Company.


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Francis Seraph Ministries (SFSM) has received a $10,000 grant from The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation to support the SFSM Sarah Center. This grant will allow the Sarah Center to expand its reach to support even more clients. 


Valley Interfaith Community Resources Center is proud to be awarded $50,000 from the Governors Faith-Based Initiative TANF funds. 


Thanks to the Hamilton County Commissioners generous funding, the Mental Health First Aid Collaborative's Teen Mental Health First Aid Pilot Project has trained 2,373 high school students, surpassing their target of 1,800.


Give Like A Mother is grateful to The Edelweiss Foundation for the generous grant of $10,000 to help support the organization’s Warm Up to Winter Initiative. Through this effort, we plan to distribute 1,800 winter clothing packs for children at no cost to families.




FUNDING AND RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES

The bi3 Fund, HealthPath Foundation of Ohio, and Interact for Health are seeking applications for its third cohort for the Data for Equity Funding Collaborative. The Collaborative will award 18-month grants of up to $40,000 to as many as 10 nonprofit and governmental organizations to strengthen their organizational capacity around equitable data and evaluation – ultimately, helping to ensure that everyone has a full, fair, and just opportunity for good health. Proposals are due at 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, February 7. To see the complete details of the request for proposals, register for the webinar, or apply, visit here.     



As part of his commitment to ensuring all Ohio children have the opportunity to build strong foundations for success, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente today announced the availability of $5 million in grant funding to support training for teachers at early care and education programs on how to harness the Science of Reading to enrich their young students’ literacy skills from an early age. To learn more about DCY and its priorities, visit here


Aviatra Accelerators announces the launch of its Capital-Ready Women (CRW) program, the only fundability assessment and guided program in the U.S. that is not government-affiliated or associated with a financial institution. This program is specifically designed to help women in non-tech industries prepare to successfully access capital through loans or investments. Look here for more information about Aviatra's Capital-Ready Women program or to apply.




PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Peer Recovery Supporter Training, February 24-28, 2025. Peer support encompasses a range of activities and interactions between people who share similar experiences of being diagnosed with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. A Certified Peer Recovery Supporters has direct lived experience with behavioral health challenges or has navigated services on behalf of someone. This 40-hour free training provides PRS certification in Kentucky and Ohio. Find more information here


 

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Special Olympics Ohio is seeking volunteers to help at the Cincinnati Polar Plunge on January 25, 2025. The event will be held on The Banks of Downtown Cincinnati and volunteer positions include helping with set-up and tear down, checking in participants, distributing t-shirts, and helping at the pool to make sure everyone has a safe and fun plunge. Sign up here.


It's another polar plunge for Q3 fundraising The less than good fundraising news continues to roll in. There was a small increase in total dollars donated (0.9%) for the first three quarters of 2024 but there were significant declines in donor participation, particularly among smaller donors (gifts less than $100), which had a 12.4% decline. 


Deep listening for impact measurement When looking at impact measurement, it is vital to remember that people are at the center of the puzzle. To humanize the metrics that seek to inform us about impact, it is important to look at numbers and ask two crucial questions: “What do these numbers really tell us?” and “So what?” 


Our sponsor and partner marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn more about a sponsor's nonprofit services, click on their ad. Contact Kelli Tarantino, editor, at kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com to discover how your business or organization can become a sponsor/advertiser of the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News.

"With my new direction/calling in mind the universe worked its magic. I opened an email from Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News, scrolled through and saw a job opening at the top of the list of “non-profit opportunities.” After conversations, dinners, and tours, I was offered and accepted the role as Executive Director of Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic."
-Chris Seelbach 
Why advertise your job in GC Nonprofit News?
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  • 11% average click through rate (double the industry average)
  • We bring experienced applicants to your organization.


View online Job Postings

Chief Development Officer, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Marketing Coordinator, CancerFree KIDS (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Development Director – The Women’s Fund, Greater Cincinnati Foundation (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Communications and Marketing Lead, The Abiding Hope Haitian Timoun Foundation (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Teen Emergency Shelter Coordinator, Brighton Center (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Fundraising Director, The Lord’s Gym Ministries (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more...


Facility Maintenance Technician, DCCH Center for Children and Families (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Bilingual Workforce Coach (Spanish), Cincinnati Works (part-time) (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Financial Wellness Coach, Cincinnati Works (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Affordable Housing Coordinator - FSS/SPARK Coordinator, Cincinnati Works (Posted 1/9/2025)

Learn more…


Administrative Coordinator, National Down Syndrome Congress (part-time) (Posted 1/9/2025) Learn more…


Transportation Dispatcher-Scheduler, Senior Community Care of Northern Kentucky (Posted 1/2/2025) Learn more...


Junior Accountant, Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home (Posted 1/2/2025) Learn more...


Donor Relations Director, The Salvation Army (Posted 12/26/2024) Learn more…


Accountant, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (Posted 12/19/2024) Learn more....


Accounting Manager, Greenacres Foundation (Posted 12/19/2024) Learn more...


Development Manager, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio (Posted 12/12/2024) Learn more...


Client Services Coordinator (PM), St. Francis Seraph Ministries (part-time) (Posted 12/12/2024) Learn more...


Program Manager, Whitney/Strong Organization (Posted 12/12/2024) Learn more...


Development Director, Mill Creek Alliance (Posted 12/12/2024) Learn more...




Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News

  • Jane Page-Steiner, Owner/Publisher
  • Kelli Tarantino, Editor
  • Barb Linder, Assistant Editor
  • Meg Bryant, Billing

Contact Jane at jane@gcnonprofitnews.com or
513-378-5526 to discuss how we can assist your organization.